KU organises ‘Swachhta Pledge’ to mark Gandhi Jayanti

Prof Talat calls for collective efforts to ensure clean environs
Srinagar, Oct 2: The University of Kashmir on Friday organised a ‘Swachhta Pledge’ event and a special cleanliness drive to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad read out the ‘Swachhta Pledge’ at a function which saw active participation of top academics and officers, including Dean Academic Affairs Prof Akbar Masood, Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir, Dean Students Welfare Prof Raies A Qadri and Dean School of Education Prof Showkat Ahmad.
The 12-point ‘Swachhta Pledge’ urges upon citizens to remain committed towards cleanliness and end littering.
“I will devote 100 hours per-year, which is two hours per-week, to voluntarily work for cleanliness,” the Pledge reads, calling for propagating the message of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ in villages and towns.
Addressing the participants, Prof Talat said: “One of the important things that Mahatma Gandhi laid special emphasis on is cleanliness; the cleanliness of our homes, and our surroundings, for good health of the citizens and a clean environment around.”
He said the entire society—children and elderly, students, teachers and officers—needs to join hands collectively and make the ‘Swachhta Pledge’ a continuous process.
“Today, we also have some great initiatives like ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ to reinforce the need to ensure cleanliness all around for the greater good of the society,” he said.
Prof Talat said in light of today’s event, a message should go out from the University that “we all shall continue to follow this Pledge round-the-year and with even greater vigour in future.”
DAA Prof Akbar Masood also spoke on the occasion, and underscored the importance of cleanliness in light of Mahatma Gandhi’s resolve to keep the country neat and clean.
Later, the Vice-Chancellor inaugurated a special cleanliness drive, organised by the Department of Students Welfare, to mark the Gandhi Jayanti. He distributed face-masks and hand sanitisers during the drive, which was joined by scores of volunteers and officials.
The two events, among others, were also attended by Director (North/South Campuses) Dr Aijaz Ahmad; Special Secretary to VC, Dr Tanveer A Shah; Coordinator NSS Dr Mussavir Ahmad; Joint Registrar (Budget and Creation) Dr Ashfaq A Zarri; Provost (Girls) Prof Aneesa Shafi, and several hostel wardens, officials and volunteers of the University.